[log] Grass is probably green, sky is probably blue [closed]

[spoileralert]

Characters: Stephanie Brown, Alphonse Elric and Gabriel Gray
Location: Skywalk 287
Date: Night 265
Summary: A reunion
Warnings: TBA

Steph doesn't reach the skywalk again until scant moments before lockdown, but the boys have had the whole day to recover from their godawful experience. She assumes this is enough time for them to regain at least some desire for affection.

If not, they're out of luck, because the first thing Steph does after dropping all her belongings by the door is throw herself at first one, then the other. Hopefully nobody will comment if she's crying a little.

Comments

[spoileralert]

The strain in his voice just encourages her to squeeze him harder. She didn't realize how much she cared about him until she was half-convinced she was never going to see him again.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to make you wait. I had to check - that building is still there, but it's invisible now."

[termineur]

He shakes his head at the apology- not that she can really see it since they're still hugging. "It's good you checked. Guess we can't burn it down anymore, huh? But this is- it's fine, I think." As long as they didn't have to deal with it ever again.

[spoileralert]

She can feel it, and she's glad he isn't overly concerned about the building in question. She doesn't like that it still exists, but she supposes it would be weirder if it had really disappeared entirely.

"We'll find something else to burn, I'm sure."

She makes no motion whatever to pull away or end the hug.

[termineur]

He chuckles- it sounds rather anemic, but there's still some actual amusement in there. "We'll have to make sure its just as satisfying."

He stands there like that for a long while, eyes closed and an occasional sniffle escaping him. It's the only sign he's even feeling emotional, until he says, "I'm not going to let this place pull us apart again. Enough."

It's said with enough conviction- maybe he believes he can stop it via words alone.

[spoileralert]

She lets out a sad little chuckle of her own, feeling tears overflow. Waking up alone, she had honestly wondered if she was losing her mind. It's so good to not be alone anymore.

"You better not," she threatens wetly. It isn't as though it's been his fault, the times she's been left alone. But people keep dying on her, and she's losing her grip on what 'normal' even looks like.

"I- I heard everyone's all healed, but it's really true? You're not still hurt anywhere?"

[termineur]

"Yeah. I'm fine, really," he assures her. "All I've got is- here." He pulls her back just enough to tip her chin up to look at his face, and taps slightly above his temple with a finger. The scars on his forehead are heavy and still a little red. "They don't hurt, though. Promise."

That, and that particular scar he especially deserves. Even he can recognize that much. "We're still here and kicking. Just got to keep moving till the end."

[spoileralert]

She reaches up to poke gently at the outer edge, just where the redness starts. It looks like kind of an old scar, but it's hard to convince herself that isn't inflammation.

"Good. I hate to think what we would have done if we'd had to pull you out ourselves. I mean, I have supplies, but it would have been a mess."

[termineur]

He doesn't shift at all with the poke, so he's clearly telling the truth. "No kidding. Hate to say it, but we really owe Andromeda for that one. She was talking to us, down in the tunnels, you know. Telling us where to go. Pretty sure she's the one that made everything grow back. It was like I had my regen for a minute."

He sighs, slightly. "I tried to hold onto one of the clockwork arms, but I lost it when we all passed out. No real evidence left over for us, I guess."

[spoileralert]

Okay, well that's a good sign. Still, her smile is a little sad. She worked so hard, and in the end she feels like she didn't accomplish anything.

"She really did us a solid. I still wonder how much of what happened was real in the sense that Admin sees it."

[termineur]

"Yeah, me too," he agrees. "She could tell we had 'unauthorized surgery,' at least. So she could see something..."

He understands how frustrating it was to not have the things you do here make a difference. Back home, he could just push through whatever obstacles were in his way. As long as he was determined enough, he could accomplish it. Here? Not so much. It has to be hell on Steph, too. None of them are in good shape after what just happened.

Sylar feels mostly tired, but he knows he's emotionally walking on thin ice already. He doesn't want to see what's underneath it. Which is why he seems to change his mind suddenly. "You know, I actually don't want to theorize right now. That's...probably a first. Later, though. What do you say we get some of our sugariest snacks out and chow down? -should've eaten before now, probably. Oops."

[spoileralert]

She smiles wryly, happy enough to change the subject. She can't help but think about these things, but she should be thinking more about what's best for him and Al.

"Alright, dinner time. Food will make us all feel better, I bet."